Alvarez hat-trick helps Atletico edge Rayo thriller

Julian Alvarez scored a hat-trick to give Atletico Madrid a vital 3-2 win in its derby at home to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night.

Atletico looked to be heading for a defeat that would have left Diego Simeone's side 12 points off the top of the table, before Alvarez scored two late goals to turn the game around.

The Argentinian put Atletico in front with an excellent finish after 14 minutes, but his side was pegged back when Josep Chavarria equalized for Rayo before halftime and Alvaro Garcia put the visitors ahead in the 76th minute.

Alvarez levelled a chaotic game just three minutes later after an error from Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla and he then won the match with two minutes left of normal time with a left-foot shot from outside the penalty area.

Real Sociedad claimed its first win of the season at the expense of fellow strugglers, Mallorca, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the only goal of the game in the 48th minute.

The first league game of the day saw Getafe draw 1-1 at home to Alaves, with the home side opening the scoring in the first half thanks to Mauro Arambarri's instinctive shot from inside the area after 63 minutes.

Ander Guevara saved a point that was well-deserved for Alaves when he scored following a corner seven minutes later.

Real Madrid won 4-1 away to Levante on Tuesday, while FC Barcelona visits Oviedo on Thursday